FAQs

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B>ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judaism</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B> </B><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judai"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Oraynu"><U>About Oraynu</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philosophy"><U>Philosophy</U></A>   |   <B>FAQs</B>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Leadership"><U>Leadership</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oraynu Childrens School"><U>Oraynu Children's School</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Programs"><U>Programs</U></A>   |   <A 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HREF="#nwhat_is_oraynu_congregation_for" TITLE="FAQs"><U>What is Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> n<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_what_is_the_philosophy_of_oraynu_2" TITLE="FAQs"><U>What is the Philosophy of Oraynu Congregation?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> n<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#nwhat_is_the_history_of_your" TITLE="FAQs"><U>When was Oraynu founded?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> n<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#nhow_do_you_celebrate_the_jewish" TITLE="FAQs"><U>How do you celebrate the Jewish holidays?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> n<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#ndo_you_have_a_school_or_a_barbat" TITLE="FAQs"><U>Do you have a School or a Bar/Bat (B'nai) Mitzvah program?</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HUMANISTIC JUDAISM</B></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#nwhat_is_a_humanistic_jew___" TITLE="FAQs"><U>What is a Humanistic Jew?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_are_there_other_humanistic_jews_" TITLE="FAQs"><U>Are there other Humanistic Jews?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> n<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_when_was_humanistic_judaism_founded_" TITLE="FAQs"><U> </U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_when_was_humanistic_judaism_founded_" TITLE="FAQs"><U>When was Humanistic Judaism founded?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> n<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#nhow_do_humanistic_jews_feel_about_the_2" TITLE="FAQs"><U>How do Humanistic Jews feel about the Torah?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_isn_t_the_jewish_religion_3" TITLE="FAQs"><U><B> </B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_isn_t_the_jewish_religion_3" TITLE="FAQs"><U>Isn't the Jewish religion (orthodoxy)/Torah responsible for the survival of the Jewish people?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_if_you_are_not_religious_in_a_1" TITLE="FAQs"><U>If you are not religious in a traditional sense, why have rabbis?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_without_god_how_can_there_be_ethics__" TITLE="FAQs"><U>Without God, how can there be ethics?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_if_you_don_t_pray_what_do_you_do__" TITLE="FAQs"><U>If you don't pray, what do you do?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="#n_isn_t_intermarriage_contributing_to_2" TITLE="FAQs"><U>Isn't intermarriage contributing to the demise of Judaism?</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>____________________</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="nwhat_is_oraynu_congregation_for"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>What is Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism?</B><B> <A NAME="__1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Oraynu provides Humanistic Jews with the opportunity to:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Be part of a congregation that supports the beliefs and commitments of Humanistic Judaism. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Welcome those who by birth or by choice identify with the history, culture and fate of the Jewish people. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Participate in meaningful experiences of culture, celebration, education and community life that connects you to the Jewish past and links you to the Jewish future. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Experience the holidays of the Jewish calendar - the High Holidays, Chanukah, Pesach, Shabbat and others - with Hebrew songs, poetry and philosophic reflection. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Celebrate the joyous life cycles of Birth, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Marriage. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Provide funeral and memorial services which protect the dignity and memory of those who have died. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Enable your children to learn Jewish history, culture, Hebrew and  ethics and values at Oraynu Children's School. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Continue your opportunities for adult education through our lectures and discussion on Jewish history, culture and philosophy. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Enjoy cultural and social events.   </div> <div>  <A NAME="n_what_is_the_philosophy_of_oraynu_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>W</B><B>hat is the Philosophy of Oraynu Congregation?</B><B> <A NAME="__9"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Humanistic Jews are cultural Jews who find that Judaism is most meaningful in the context of modern thinking. As a Congregation, we celebrate Jewish identity and blend tradition with contemporary thinking. We enrich our lives with the High Holidays, Oneg Shabbats, by enjoying Jewish music, Jewish history, and by cultivating our ties to the Jewish community and the State of Israel. We instill our children with a love of Jewish culture and a pride in their Jewish heritage. As Jews and as human beings, we believe that we have the power and responsibility to direct the course of our lives. </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Verdana" > Click </FONT><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philosophy"><U>Philosophy.</U></A> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Verdana" >   </FONT>                           </div> <div>  <A NAME="nwhat_is_the_history_of_your"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B>When was Oraynu founded?</B></FONT></div> <div> Oraynu was founded in 1969 as the Secular Jewish Association by a group of friends who wanted a meaningful Jewish experience for their families.  In 1997, we chose the name <I>Oraynu</I> (Hebrew for 'Our Light') to reflect our change from an organization to a community seeking to provide a congregation experience for its members. Oraynu has an elected Board of Directors.  Leadership is provided by <I>Rabbis and</I> <I>Madrikhim</I> who are ordained by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism and licensed by the Province of Ontario, and we have a distinguished faculty of guest speakers. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" >                                            </FONT></div> <div>  <A NAME="nhow_do_you_celebrate_the_jewish"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>How</B> <B>do you celebrate the Jewish holidays?</B><B> <A NAME="_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >As Humanistic Jews, we celebrate all of the major Jewish holidays. In the fall, we hold observances for Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidrei (Erev Yom Kippur) and Yom Kippur, and in the spring, we offer our popular Community Passover Seder.  Oneg Shabbats, Chanukah, Purim, Sukkot and Tu Bishvat celebrate our Jewish heritage and fill our year with celebration and inspiration. Our holiday observances incorporate philosophical reflections, poetry, prose and music which combine to create a wonderful sense of spirituality.   </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Verdana" >Click </FONT><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Programs"><U>Programs</U></A>.<I> </I>          </div> <div> <B> <A NAME="ndo_you_have_a_school_or_a_barbat"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>Do you have a School or a Bar/Bat (B'nai) Mitzvah program?</B><B> <A NAME="__2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>Oraynu Children's School</B></div> <div> Yes, we have an excellent Children's School for students JK to Grade 7 and B'nai Mitzvah candidates.   We teach our children to be proud of their Jewish identity. Children learn about their Jewish heritage, Jewish history, the State of Israel, Hebrew language, and all the Jewish holidays. We emphasize humanistic ethics at each level of our school. Students study the value of <I>tzedakah</I> (giving), cooperation, honesty, and integrity. The Children's School focuses on building Jewish identity and ethical character in our students. We strive to engender integrity and intelligence while celebrating Jewish culture. The Jewish values for high moral standards, self-reliance, and the search for truth, courage, tolerance, and human dignity are imparted to the children.  Our school operates with guidance from the Toronto Board of Jewish Education.  Click <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Oraynu Childrens School"><U>School</U></A>                                                                     </FONT></div> <div> <B>B'nai (Bar/Bat) Mitzvah</B></div> <div> Our B'nai Mitzvah program is a two-year creative and meaningful experience for young people and their families. Students begin work on the ceremony during the second half of the Grade 7 year.  Working with a teacher/mentor, the children must each do a research project on the life of a Jewish hero and participate in various <I>tzedakah</I> activities, both individually and communally. The children then work as a group to prepare for the ceremony that culminates on the day of their B'nai Mitzvah. The presentation includes readings, poetry, music, individual hero presentations, personal statements and a candle-lighting ceremony.  We have found that our B'nai Mitzvah ceremonies are among the highlights of our Congregation experience. They make a profound contribution to the student's self-esteem, personal consciousness, and pride in their Jewish heritage.  Some families may choose to have an individual humanistic Bar/Bat Mitzvah under the guidance of one of our Madrikhim.                                    </div> <div>  <A NAME="nwhat_is_a_humanistic_jew___"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>What is a Humanistic Jew?</B><B> <A NAME="__3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Consider the following statements:   </div> <div> <I>1. Judaism is not only a religion; it's also the culture and history of the Jewish people.  </I></div> <div> <I>2. You have the power and responsibility to shape your own life independent of supernatural authority.</I></div> <div> <I>3. You would like to experience Jewish celebrations (High Holidays, Chanukah, Pesach, Shabbat and others) with Hebrew songs, poetry and philosophic reflection.  </I></div> <div> <I>4. Yo</I><I>u </I><I>w</I><I>ant to learn more about and/or teach your children Jewish history, culture, </I><I>Hebrew</I><I> and the ethics and values of Judaism.</I></div> <div> If you think that all of the above statements are true, you may be a Humanistic Jew.</div> <div> Now, ask yourself this question:<I> Is there a place where I can find other people who feel as I do? </I> </div> <div> There is - Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism.      <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" >Back to <A HREF="id18_humanistic_judaism_defined.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philosophy"><U>HUMANISTIC JUDAISM AS A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE</U></A></FONT></div> <div>  <A NAME="n_are_there_other_humanistic_jews_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>Are there other Humanistic Jews?</B><B> <A NAME="__4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Oraynu is the first Humanistic Jewish congregation in Toronto.  It is a member of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, headquartered in Michigan, which is, in turn, affiliated with both the North American and International Federations of Secular Humanistic Jews. Humanistic Judaism has groups/congregations in more than a dozen countries including Canada, the U.S., Israel, Europe, Australia, and Russia. There are more than 30,000 Humanistic Jews worldwide who identify with our Movement. It was recognized in 2000 by the United Jewish Communities (U.S.)<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>as the fifth branch in Judaism following Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist.      </div> <div>  <A NAME="n_when_was_humanistic_judaism_founded_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>When was Humanistic Judaism founded?</B><B> <A NAME="__1_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> It was founded in 1963 by the late Rabbi Sherwin Wine, who was ordained as a Reform rabbi. The Birmingham Temple became the first to identify itself as a Humanistic Jewish congregation.  Located in suburban Detroit, it currently serves several hundred member families.  It was the founding group of the Society for Humanistic Judaism. Go to <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="http://www.shj.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.shj.org/"><U>www.shj.org</U></A></FONT> for more information.   </div> <div> <B> <A NAME="nhow_do_humanistic_jews_feel_about_the_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><B>How do Humanistic Jews feel about the </B><B>Torah</B><B>?</B><B> <A NAME="__6"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Humanistic Jews value the Torah because it is a historical, political, sociological text written by their ancestors. They do not believe that every word of the Torah is true, or even morally correct, just because it is old. They are willing to question the Torah and to disagree with it. They believe the entire Jewish experience, not just the Torah, should be the source for Jewish behavior and ethics.   </div> <div>  <A NAME="n_isn_t_the_jewish_religion_3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Isn't the Jewish religion(orthodoxy)/Torah responsible for the survival of the Jewish people?</B></FONT></div> <div> The survival of the Jewish people is a consequence of the adaptability of the Jewish people. What has kept us alive is the willingness of the Jewish people to adapt to the dominant culture, while still adhering to the ever changing, yet enduring quality of the customs and ceremonies of the Jews. The common history, literature and fate are all responsible for Jewish continuity.</div> <div>  <A NAME="n_if_you_are_not_religious_in_a_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><B> If you are not religious in a traditional sense, why have rabbis?</B><B> <A NAME="n_if_you_are_not_religious_in_a_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> A rabbi is a leader of the Jewish people, someone who is knowledgeable about Jewish history and ceremony. We choose to be part of the Jewish community and calling our leaders “rabbis” helps us to participate fully in Jewish communal life.  Humanistic rabbis are ordained and, in addition to their rabbinical studies, may have either a Master's or Ph.D. degree in Jewish studies. The International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism based in Farmington Hills, Michigan offers a training program for Humanistic rabbis and <I>madrikhim</I> (leaders). Some Humanistic rabbis were ordained in other traditions.</div> <div>  <A NAME="n_without_god_how_can_there_be_ethics__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B> Without God, how can there be ethics? </B></FONT></div> <div> The foundation of ethics is not God. The foundation of ethics is human dignity, human survival and human happiness. Ethical behavior consists of relationships between people. Some people behave well without believing in God and some people who believe in God do not behave ethically. </div> <div>  <A NAME="n_if_you_don_t_pray_what_do_you_do___1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>n</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B> If you don't pray, what do you do? </B></FONT></div> <div> We celebrate our Jewish identity. We use poetry and prose to express that connection - to encourage reflection and meditation. We sing Jewish songs in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. We create our own liturgy which includes blessings for wine, challah, candlelighting, holidays, etc. As well, we sometimes adapt traditional materials to be consistent with humanistic Jewish philosophy. </div> <div>  <A NAME="n_isn_t_intermarriage_contributing_to_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n</B></FONT><B> Isn't intermarriage contributing to the demise of Judaism?</B><B> <A NAME="n_isn_t_intermarriage_contributing_to"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> Intermarriage is the positive consequence of a free and open society. If the Jewish community is open, welcoming, embracing and pluralistic, we will encourage more people to identify with the Jewish people rather than less. Intermarriage could contribute to the continuity of the Jewish people.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id19_m.htm" TITLE="FAQs"><U><I>Back to Top</I></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >                </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:info@oraynu.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@oraynu.org"><U>info@oraynu.org</U></A></div> <div> or call 416-385-3910</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>